The Colorado Rapids released their protected list for the MLS expansion draft yesterday and the most universal reaction from supporters and media alike was: Why is Danny Earls protected?

Before we jump to any conclusions about this list of players from which the expansion Montreal Impact will pick, it is important to note the tweet from Craig de Aragón, who points out the Rapids last season had a deal lined up before the expansion draft to have Anthony Wallace drafted and immediately dealt back.

Also of note: Interesting to see Rapids midfielder Wells Thompson, who is not protected, retweeting the tweets of people voicing frustration with that decision.

During the 2011 season, midfielder Jeff Larentowicz always seemed to come up with the big goal when the Colorado Rapids needed it the most.

That was the case on Saturday when Larentowicz buried a free kick in Vancouver to tie up the match against the Whitecaps, a game that was critical in the Rapids quest to host a playoff match. They would go on to win 2-1.

It was a career-high seventh goal for Larentowicz, enough to earn him the Rapids’ Golden Boot, an honor that goes to the team’s leading scorer.

“It’s great,” said Larentowicz. “That’s something I’m not expecting, and I wish it weren’t me.”

The Colorado Rapids will host three CONCACAF Champions League matches at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City.

Whoever is in charge of the Colorado Rapids’ travel scheduling over at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park will probably need an aspirin after this week, as players and coaches headed all over the globe, and the CONCACAF Champions League matches were finalized.

Rapids' Sanna Nyassi blows by Tim Ream, Mehdi Ballouchy and goalkeeper Frank Rost to score his third goal of the game against the New York Red Bulls last week at DSG Park.

Three goals, one assist and another drawn penalty — over two games in four days — netted Rapids forward Sanna Nyassi the MLS Player of the Week award on Monday. And to think, he was starting only as a replacement for the injured Conor Casey.

Nyassi recorded his first career hat trick on Wednesday in the Rapids’ 4-1 rout of the visiting New York Red Bulls. He also set up the fourth goal, after his shot from 40 yards out bounced off the post leaving Wells Thompson an easy finish.